'An Incredible Honor': Union Public Schools Announces New Superintendent

The next superintendent of Union Public Schools says he's ready to lead the district where he's spent decades of his life.

Doctor John Federline is a Union High School graduate and returned to the district as an assistant principal in 2005. He says he's excited for the challenge.

“Union is a place like no other,” said Dr. John Federline with Union Public Schools.

It’s a place he has a deep-rooted connection with.

“I’m actually a Union lifer. I graduated here in 1988,” he said. 

Federline says that familiarity helps him understand the needs and culture of the district.

He's served as assistant or deputy superintendent since 2021, and soon, he will be the first Union lifer to be superintendent of Union Public Schools following a vote from the Board of Education.

“It’s an incredible honor, it's an incredible responsibility. Very exciting,” he said. 

Union’s current superintendent, Kirt Hartzler, announced last month he's retiring after serving for the past 11 years.

Dr. Federline says Dr. Hartzler has been a tremendous mentor, and they actually met while student and teacher.

“If I could sum up what I’ve learned from him, I have learned how important it is to serve with both integrity and humility,” said Federline. 

Below is a full quote from Dr. Hartzler on the appointment:

“Dr. John Federline is an extremely capable individual who has the leadership skills and familiarity with our culture necessary to drive Union Public Schools into the future. As a Union lifer, he has personally experienced the growth, challenges and changes that have shaped the trajectory of Union Public Schools. He is an ethical and outstanding educator who is respectful of teachers and the profession and will continue to lead the district in its mission of ‘100% graduation, college and career-ready,’ I can think of no person better equipped to elevate Union’s performance in service to our students.”    

As he prepares to move from one office to the other, Dr. Federline says he is excited to build upon the district's successes and tackle the obstacles that lie ahead.

“Our goal is taking the great things that Union is already doing and amplify them, and to take the challenges that we have, not only in Union Public Schools but in public education in general and to meet them with courage and conviction,” he said. 

He believes that a clear vision for the future will kickstart a promising chapter for Union Public Schools under his leadership.

Dr. Federline will begin his new position as superintendent on July 1.